LET’S PLAY TWO: Last time the Yankees played a double header was that two-game set in Boston at the end of last season. The Yankees split that day, winning the the first game and losing the second.

CLOSE THE DEAL: The Yankees are 17-7 in series finales hit season, and they’ve won nine of their past 11.

UPDATE, 7:20 p.m.: Full count, Gordon allowed a home run to his first batter of the night. An early 1-0 Reds lead in the first.

UPDATE, 7:33 p.m.: Gordon sent the next three down in order, and Swisher picked him up with a solo shot in the top of the second. Tied at 1 with Gordon heading back for his second inning.

UPDATE, 7:43 p.m.: Another leadoff homer, and another inning limited to the one run. It’s 2-1 Reds after two innings.

UPDATE, 7:46 p.m.: I can’t imagine how badly Gordon wanted to swing away at that 3-0 pitch. All this time waiting, and he doesn’t even get the bat off his shoulder with a four-pitch walk in his first big league plate appearance. Also, batting lefty. Weird.

UPDATE, 8:46 p.m.: Gordon was good except for three key mistakes, each of them a home run to left field. It’s a 4-1 Reds lead heading into the bottom of the sixth, with Boone Logan in to face Joey Votto and Jay Bruce (he got them both out).

UPDATE, 9:09 p.m.: Girardi went to the bench, but neither Cano nor Posada could come up with the big hit in the seventh inning. The Yankees left the bases loaded and still trail 4-1.

UPDATE, 9:25 p.m.: Noesi just struggled through the seventh. He hit a batter with the bases loaded and allowed three runs that gave the Reds considerable breathing room. It’s now 7-1.

CHANGING OF THE GARDY: In the Yankees past 11 games, Brett Gardner is hitting .472 with eight runs, five doubles, a triple, a home run and four walks. That’s the third-highest average in the Majors during that span.

GET AWAY: The Yankees have the best road record in the Majors at 19-12 (.613). Their pitching staff has the second-lowest road ERA in the big leagues (3.15) and their lineup has scored the most road runs per game (5.45).

TWO AWAY: Mariano Rivera is two games away from tying Roberto Hernandez for the 12th-most games pitched in Major League history.

ON THIS DATE: On June 22, 1938, Joe Louis knocked out Max Schmelling in 124 seconds during a heavyweight fight at Yankee Stadium… On June 22, 1957, Yogi Berra hit a walk-off homer in the 13th inning to give the Yankees a 6-5 win against the White Sox. Tommy Byrne got the win, having pitched nine innings of scoreless relief.

UPDATE, 12:51 p.m.: Things could have gotten out of hand for Garcia in that first inning. The first two balls were hit hard and the third guy walked, but Garcia got a big strikeout — Jay Bruce swinging at an offspeed pitch — and a fly ball to left to leave two runners stranded. Scoreless after one.

UPDATE, 1:26 p.m.: High throw to the plate + Gardner’s speed from third = An early 1-0 Yankees lead in the third inning.

UPDATE, 2:01 p.m.: With a 2-0 Yankees lead heading into the bottom of the fifth, the Yankees have scored their runs by playing an NL style of baseball, and so far Freddy Garcia has negotiated this Reds lineup without much trouble beyond that first inning jam.

UPDATE, 2:11 p.m.: Rough inning for Pena at third. One throw sailed wide to first base, and another short-hopped it’s way to the plate. His pair of errors have opened the door to a game-tying two-run fifth for the Reds.

UPDATE, 2:24 p.m.: The Yankees replacement at first base just made up for their replacement at third. Posada’s two-run homer has the Yankees back in front, 4-2, in the sixth.

UPDATE, 2:55 p.m.: Terrific start by Garcia, who gave the Yankees seven strong innings and shouldn’t have allowed a run. He’s turned a 4-2 lead over to the bullpen, with Dave Robertson in to handle the eighth. The Yankees have upgraded their defense with Mark Teixeira taking over at first base and Chris Dickerson moving into right field.